[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he portable jump-starter and rechargeable battery pack experts Weego continue to charge into the powersports market, hiring industry veteran Jon Kluiter. As the company’s new channel sales manager, Kluiter will handle business development and sales management for the marine, automotive, powersports and industrial channels, plus all international business. He is Weego’s third major addition to the team in the past few months, following Berdj Mazmanian (product development) and Frank Rodriquez (product engineering). Dealers in the west may remember him from his 10-year tenure with Fulmer Helmets and more recently as the managing director of H&H Sports Protection. “We are seeing greater demand in our products, so increasing the Weego team to be able to accommodate and take on more opportunities is the right thing to do,” says Weego CEO Gerry Toscani. “Jon’s experience and competitive, need-to-win nature will be a huge asset in helping us grow our brand into new as well as existing channels… based on 2015 successes and the groundwork that’s already been laid for 2016.”
In a motorcycle version of musical chairs, Danny Gray Seats has terminated business dealings with Harley-Davidson, shifted its distribution channels away from Tucker Rocky and signed a new PR and marketing firm – all in the first three weeks of the new year! First Danny Gray Seats terminated its 17 year relationship with Harley-Davidson and will no longer supply The Motor Company’s custom seat program. The company has also announced that it has severed ties with Tucker-Rocky on the distribution side. Dealers may continue to purchase their seats through Western Power Sports (WPS) and Drag Specialties, but Danny Gray will be focused on dealers moving forward. “We have developed a new, nationwide dealer-direct program that will help them strengthen customer relationships and sell more custom seats,” explains VP Marketing & Sales John Strahl. “The ‘Build Your Own’ custom seat program is scheduled to launch in early spring.”
In order to expand its new dealer-direct program, Danny Gray Seats has announced an aggressive advertising campaign and signed a new PR and marketing firm. “We’re going to be advertising in all of the leading publications and on several social media platforms this year,” says Strahl. “We are planning an aggressive PR campaign that will help us achieve our goals.” To implement this plan the seat company selected Rick Raus and his V-Twin Marketing team. “We chose V-Twin Marketing due to their 35 years’ experience in the motorcycle industry and the many contacts that they have established over the years, which leverages our new strategy going forward. We feel confident that this first series of moves will expand our channel penetration.”
In more electrifying news, former Triumph North America and BMW Motorcycles North America exec Todd Andersen is back in the saddle again. “I’m happy to announce that I’ll be joining Zero Motorcycles as their head of global sales, marketing and after-sales.” Andersen will be relocating from Georgia to the Scotts Valley, California. “I’m looking forward to helping the team there continue with their mission to electrify the motorcycle industry!”
On a roll! Pacific Powersports, Inc. rolled into 2016 as the new North American source for Haan Wheels Sport BV. With more than 45 years of wheel building experience, Haan is currently used by half of the race teams competing in the FIM Motocross World Championship series. Haan Wheels are built in the Netherlands with its own billet 6082 alloy hubs and CNC technology for precision and maximum strength. The high tension stainless steel spokes are 30% stronger than stock spokes and laced up to RK Excel A60 rims. All Haan wheels come complete with Koyo bearings, seals, spacers and sprocket/brake disc bolts. Pacific Powersports is the source for products like Motoz Tires, Falco Boots, Motto Wear Jeans, Quad Works/Cycle Works seat covers and High Roller tie downs since 2002.
Former Cycle West GM Ted Cabral is now on the American Motorcyclist Association’s Board of Directors representing District 36 (Pacific Northwest). “I am very excited about being elected to the board,” claims Cabral. “I am an enthusiast. I grew up around racing. And it is important that those perspectives are represented on the board.” After racing and spending 20 years at the Honda/Suzuki dealership in Petaluma, California, Cabral was the first GM at suspension specialist RaceTech, and also created Top Shelf Motorcycle Tours. In 2013, Cabral was appointed to the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission and now serves as chairman. Cabral has three main goals: 1) To ensure motorcycles are included in long-range transportation plans as a viable form of transportation, particularly in dense urban environments. 2) Strengthen the AMA through more members and increasing membership value and the marketing of the AMA’s benefits. 3) To strengthen amateur racing.
